Upgrading and Fixing Computers Do-it-Yourself For Dummies (eBook)

Andy Rathbone is a bestselling author of computer reference books including Windows For Dummies, which has sold millions of copies in its several editions. Andy has also covered consumer technologies such as TiVo and MP3 players.

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Ready to Upgrade 7

Chapter 1: Start Here First 9

Chapter 2: Assembling Your Tools 23

Part II: Making Your Computer Work Better 27

Chapter 3: Keyboards, Mice, Game Controllers, and Monitors 29

Chapter 4: Printers and Scanners 51

Chapter 5: Adding More Memory 67

Chapter 6: Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive 73

Chapter 7: Adding a DVD Drive 101

Chapter 8: Fine-Tuning Your Computer's Sound 109

Chapter 9: Beefi ng Up Your Computer's Video Card 119

Chapter 10: Replacing the Power Supply or Laptop Battery 129

Part III: Teaching an Old Computer New Tricks 139

Chapter 11: Creating a Home Theater with Windows 7's Media Center 141

Chapter 12: Upgrading a Computer for Editing Movies 155

Chapter 13: Repurposing an Old Computer 161

Part IV: Communications 171

Chapter 14: Adding or Replacing a Modem 173

Chapter 15: Linking Computers with a Network 185

Chapter 16: Filtering Out Evil with Firewalls 199

Part V: Introducing Parts to Windows 207

Chapter 17: Hiring the Right Driver for Windows 209

Chapter 18: Installing or Upgrading to Windows 7 227

Chapter 19: Troubleshooting and Fixing Windows 7 247

Chapter 20: Moving from the Old Computer to the New Computer 265

Part VI: The Part of Tens 277

Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Find Help Online 279

Chapter 22: Ten Cheap Fixes to Try First 287

Appendix: The Rathbone Reference of Fine Ports 293

Index 303